Brazosport ISD Board Highlights

Extra Mile Award
The Board of Trustees recognized the Lake Jackson Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association for helping to insure the safety and well being of students in the District. In assisting the Board with the presentation, Stuart Dornburg, Executive Director of Administration Services, explained that the Lake Jackson Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association is a group of volunteers trained to administer a state-of-the-art identification system that is FBI approved (Project ID). The computerized system processes a colored digital photo, inkless fingerprints, descriptive data, medical, and contact information. Mr. Dornburg announced that volunteers are scheduled to visit each of the District’s elementary schools this fall and provide ID services to every second-grade student. Plans are also in place to provide this service to all fifth-grade students in spring 2008. Board members thanked Association members for “going the extra mile.”

Small Learning Communities Grant
Brazosport High School Principal, Gary Jones, assisted by staff members, Melanie Staff and Genni Leathers, presented a progress and performance report on the Small Learning Communities Grant. Mr. Jones discussed the genesis of the grant and stated that change was needed to address the low high school completion rate experienced by Brazosport High School and high schools across the state. Ms. Staff discussed the “FX” program (Freshman eXperience), teaming concepts, and their implications for Brazosport High School. Ms. Staff also presented data indicating that 2006-2007 discipline referrals and retainees were down, with improved attendance. Ms. Leathers discussed budget considerations associated with the grant and introduced the Board to the concept of “career academies” for grades 10-12. Ms. Leathers stated that success will require Brazosport to “mobilize, connect, and engage,” and stated that the right ingredients are in place for success; teacher teams, the ninth-grade transition incentive, and career academies. Ms. Leathers also presented employment data evidencing the need for America’s schools to ratchet up the skills and extended learning required for technically advanced jobs. Board members enthusiastically thanked Mr. Jones and Ms. Staff and Ms. Leathers for their presentation and oversight of the Small Learning Communities Grant.

Report on 2007 Accountability
Executive Director of Curriculum and Accountability Services, Rebecca Rinehart, presented Board members with a performance report on the District’s state accountability results. Mrs. Rinehart began by reviewing the changes in accountability stands for 2007, noting that “Recognized” increased from 70% to 75% and that each subject area’s passing standard increased by 5%. Mrs. Rinehart announced that the District’s overall rating for 2006-2007 is “Academically Acceptable,” with the following campus ratings for 2007:

Exemplary
Stephen F. Austin
A. P. Beutel
Bess Brannen
Elisabet Ney
O. M. Roberts

Recognized
O. A. Fleming
Gladys Polk
Velasco
Rasco
Freeport Intermediate

Academic Acceptable
Madge Griffith
Jane Long
T. W. Ogg
Lanier Middle
Clute Intermediate
Lake Jackson Intermediate
Brazosport HS
Brazoswood HS
Lighthouse Learning Center

Mrs. Rinehart noted improvements for all students in math, and for most student groups in reading, social studies, and science. Brazosport Independent School District has five of the only eleven campuses in Brazoria County with “Exemplary” ratings. Mrs. Rinehart concluded her presentation by noting areas for improvement and by responding to questions from Board members regarding the new ratings and the District’s response.

TASB Policy Update 80
The Board of Trustees reviewed legal policy changes and voted to add, revise, or delete local policies, as included in Localized Policy Manual Update 80, and as recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). The Board also adopted a Local District Update relating to employment practices.

Purchase of Attendance Credits from the State
The Board approved an Agreement for the Purchase of Attendance Credits with the State for the 2007-2008 school year and authorized the Superintendent to submit a “letter of intent” to the Commissioner of Education describing actions underway in the District to reduce its property wealth per student to the State equalized wealth level. The District currently expects to pay approximately $7.2 million in equalization (“Robin Hood”) payments for the upcoming year.

Interlocal Agreement with Brazoria County
The Board of Trustees voted to approve an interlocal cooperation agreement with Brazoria County to purchase various commodities using each party’s annual contracts (bids). The agreement calls for the County and the District to maintain a listing of annual contracts that are available for the other party’s use. Some cost savings should result from the District’s use of shared annual contracts. The agreement will be particularly useful in connection with re-surfacing projects undertaken by the County under interlocal agreements with the District requiring the purchase of rock, soil, and “hot-mix.”

Regional Occupational Health Center Agreement
Board members voted to enter into an agreement with Brazosport Regional Health System (BRHS) to provide treatment for work-related injuries or illnesses and employment-related health services through the Brazosport Regional Occupational Health Center (Center). Currently, most of the District’s employees utilize U.S. Healthworks, in Freeport, for the initial diagnosis and treatment of work-related injuries and illnesses. The Center offers employees another full-service facility conveniently located in Lake Jackson. Additionally, the agreement will provide the District with discount pricing offered by BRHS to organizations entering into such agreements.

Energy for Schools and Strategic Energy Add-On Meters
Board members approved a release and settlement, totaling $22,540.09, with its energy providers, Energy for Schools and Strategic Energy, in connection with a dispute involving “add-on” meters (relating to new construction) that were previously not served at the agreed-to contract price. The calculated overpayment was based on the difference between the price the District actually paid for the “add-on” meters and the contracted price. The settlement represents the full amount of additional cost borne by the District, plus interest.

“Boot Camp” Agreement for 2007-2008
Trustees approved an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding for the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program. The agreement between Brazoria County and the eight school districts in Brazoria County will facilitate operations of the “boot camp” program for the 2007-2008 school year.

Teacher Appraisal Calendar/Teacher Appraisers
The Board approved the teacher appraisal calendar for the 2007-2008 school year, as required by the Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS), and identified administrative staff members who have completed formal training for certification as appraisers. The PDAS requires each school district to annually establish a calendar that designates appraisal periods and requires that each designated appraiser receive uniform appraiser training.

Nominee for TASB Board of Trustees
Board members voted to endorse incumbent, Katherine Hanson, for election to the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Board of Trustees, representing Region 4, Position A. In accordance with TASB Bylaws, if 25% or more districts endorse the same candidate, that candidate is included on the official ballot. If a majority of the districts in a TASB Region endorse the same candidate, that candidate becomes the sole nominee of the Nominations Committee. The annual Delegate Assembly will elect an individual to fill each vacancy on the Board at the TASB/TASA Joint Annual Convention.

Update on Student Management System
Director of Technology Services, Monty Burger, updated the Board on the District’s new student management information system. Mr. Burger stated that he is still very optimistic the new system will be available to start school, and that the old system is still being maintained as a “fail-safe” measure. Mr. Burger stated that the implementation team is continuing to work through some issues and that the software company will be in the District the week of August 13 to meet with each campus. Mr. Burger conceded that there is “still work to do,” and stated that a decision will be made following the software developer’s visit to move forward with the new system or implement the contingency plan. Board members thanked Mr. Burger and the campus schedulers for their persistence and hard work.

Personnel Actions
In addition to personnel actions discussed in Executive Session, the Board of Trustees approved naming Lorrie Kloss as Principal of Jane Long Elementary School.

Other Actions
In other actions, the Board approved the official minutes of the July 10, 2007, Board meeting; approved financial statements for June 2007; awarded contracts for custodial supplies and printer supplies; and approved a recommendation from the Brazoria County Property Tax Resale Committee to sell delinquent tax properties held in trust by Brazoria County.